Football was everything for Holden Reed, through blood, sweat, and tears he lived his life for the game. The spotlight that endlessly followed him due to his fame, was his downfall, especially when he failed to keep his anger in check. Due to his lack of control and explosive bouts of rage, he rightfully earned the nickname, “The Beast.” And with the results of his rogue actions, he heard the one word no professional athlete ever wanted to hear. Suspension.

After what was supposed to be a mandatory time-out to straighten out his ways, he finds himself at the mercy of a beautiful Innkeeper while stuck at a Bed & Breakfast in the backwoods of Colorado.

Once upon a time, Marlee Tate devoted her life to a prestigious PR firm, taking an active role in following her hopes and aspirations. But with one phone call from her family, she was ready to toss her dreams aside without hesitation to be the daughter she felt she needed to be. Now, she’s back at home, forced to work at her family’s livelihood, Tate Manor.

During what was considered to be the worst snowstorm in Colorado history, the treacherous weather sent the abrupt but intriguing stranger crashing into her doorstep.

What will happen when two guarded souls collide together after being hidden away from the outside world? When half-truths come to light and hearts are meaninglessly tossed aside? Will they arise from their stubborn stupor or continue to keep each other at arm’s length?

My face must’ve morphed into something that only confirmed my distaste. I could never seem to keep a handle on my expressions, which was why these days I didn’t have many emotions. Pissed off seemed to work just fine for me. This woman though, seemed to bring every single one out of me. And with only knowing her a handful of minutes that realization was alarming. I needed to keep my distance from her, it was imperative. She raised her hands in surrender, the piece of cotton in between her thumb and index finger suspended in midair.
“Easy there, Tarzan. You need to relax. Your forehead is all scrunched, it’s only going to make your wound bleed more.” I flinched at the name, then immediately tried to force the tension from my brow. Making my face completely blank, which was a bitch to pull off.
Once satisfied that I wasn’t going to move, she began inching the antiseptic soaked cotton ball towards my face once again.
“This may…” Before she could get the final word out, she touched my face, eliciting a hiss to spill from my clenched teeth. “Sting.”
What she didn’t know, was that it wasn’t the sting of the medicine that caused me to flinch. It was the slow burn I felt from the soft brush of her fingertips against my skin. I felt it deep into my bones as it radiated throughout my body. I felt myself wanting to lean into her touch and demand even more.
My own fingers itched to wrap around her waist and snap closed the remaining distance between us. Oh how easy that would be. But she didn’t want that and I wasn’t one to defile a woman without her being on board. I wanted her body in every way imaginable and the thing of it was, I didn’t even know her name. So since what I wanted obviously didn’t matter I instead clenched my fists together to eliminate any temptation I had to touch her.
“Ok, Frankenstein,” she took a step back, placing her hands on her hips, the movement only made me hotter. Her shirt rose showing just the barest hint of midriff. If I was already salivating over the smallest flash of skin, how would I be able to control myself if I got her completely naked and begging at my mercy?
I knew my answer and that was why I had to keep her at arm's-length.

Amber Nation currently resides in Southern Indiana with her husband and two beautiful daughters. Amber writes Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Romance Comedy novels. She loves hoarding paperback books, shopping, concerts, road trips, and watching her daughters sport it up on the field or on the court. Her personal motto is to always believe in yourself and above all else, be you!